Notice to Canada Land Surveyors - Notice 2008-1

Amendments to the General Instructions for the Survey of Canada Lands, e-Edition

Chapter D1 - Official Surveys;
Chapter D5 - Registration and Land Use Area Plans;
Chapter D15 - Survey Reports;
Appendix E1 - Glossary; and
Appendix E5 (new appendix) - Digital Spatial File Specifications.

Coming in force: April 1, 2008 (* see note below)

I am pleased to enact, effective April 1, 2008, new General Instructions for these chapters above.

A copy of the new instructions are available at:

Official Surveys:
http://satc.rncan.gc.ca/standards-normes/d1-v2-eng.php

Registration and Land Use Area Plans:
http://satc.rncan.gc.ca/standards-normes/d5-v4-eng.php

Survey Reports:
http://satc.rncan.gc.ca/standards-normes/d15-v2-eng.php

Glossary:
http://satc.rncan.gc.ca/standards-normes/e1-v2-eng.php

Digital Spatial File Specifications*:
http://satc.rncan.gc.ca/standards-normes/e5-v1-eng.php

* Note: The digital spatial file specifications will not be in force before October 1, 2008. However, until the enactment of these standards, you are encouraged to use them on a voluntary basis.

These standards were developed through a consultative process with stakeholders, including the Association of Canada Lands Surveyors.

The main amendments in respect to chapters involve:

• Better adaptation with current land survey practices and their depiction on new specimen plans;
• Removal of standards related to the practice of the profession;
• Reducing the requirements for field notes;
• New geo-referencing requirements; and
• New specifications for submission of digital files included in survey returns.

Copy - original signed by

Peter Sullivan
Surveyor General and Director,
Canada Center for Cadastral Management,
Natural Resources Canada
Edmonton, Alberta

March 5, 2008